In less than a week, the Rockies went from having a surprising surplus of pitchers to struggling to fill out a rotation. Brett Anderson’s move to the disabled list Sunday — after breaking a finger during an at-bat, just his ninth career at-bat — is the latest setback to Colorado’s rotation.

Anderson posted a photo of the X-ray of his broken finger (with the caption “Not so much here or here but right here…” — an excellent Tommy Boy reference, by the way, in case you were about to look it up):

MIAMI — Lost in the winless start, first baseman Justin Morneau has begun the season well. Typically, this means nothing for anyone. However, Justin Morneau is replacing Todd Helton, ending the all-star’s 17-year run with the Rockies, and wearing friend Larry Walker’s No. 33 jersey.

He had reasons to press. So far, he’s shown patience offensively, going for 4-for-8 entering Wednesday’s game against Miami’s Henderson Alvarez.

Morneau missed two weeks in spring training with a stiff neck, something he said flares up a couple of times a season. While Morneau hasn’t shown power, manager Walt Weiss predicted he would, reminding reporters that the first baseman hit nine home runs last August before being traded to the Pirates.

MIAMI, FLA. — Now for something completely different. There is actually good news regarding Rockies pitchers. Reliever Boone Logan (elbow) threw 21 pitches without issue Monday and is tentatively scheduled to begin a two-day Triple-A rehab assignment on Wednesday. The plan is to activate him for the weekend series against the Diamondbacks.

Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) faced hitters for the first time since his shoulder acted up in February. He threw 25 pitches, and remains on schedule to return to the Rockies’ rotation in early May.

Logan’s absence opened a roster spot for Rule 5 pickup Tommy Kahlne. The Rockies will have to make a decision with either their bullpen or bench when Logan returns.

Chacin’s absence moved Juan Nicasio to the fourth spot in the rotation and left Franklin Morales as the fifth starter. Morales is scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in the home opener.

Jhoulys Chacin, the Rockies’ top right-handed starter, is throwing all of his pitches during bullpen sessions as he rehabs from a strained shoulder. (Denver Post file photo)

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Rockies have two more Cactus League games to get through, Friday night against the Mariners, then Saturday afternoon back at Salt River Fields, once more against the Mariners.

They’ll fly to Miami very early Sunday morning and then try shake off the jet lag to get ready for Monday night’s regular-season opener against the Marlins.

One important player will be left behind to toil in the desert: right-hander Jhoulys Chacin. But that’s not a bad thing. Chacin said Friday afternoon that his strained right shoulder is much, much better, putting him on track to rejoin the Rockies’ rotation in early May.

* Right-handed starter Jhoulys Chacin threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday, though he was limited to all fastballs. Chacin, recovering from a shoulder strain, is scheduled to throw four or five more bullpens and then move on to live batting practice.

He calls his facemask-like contraption a “high-altitude altitude mask.” The fitness industry calls it an altitude deprivation mask.

“I use it when I’m training, it helps me get in shape,” said Barnes, who will be playing at a mile above sea level this year as opposed to the flat lands of Houston. Barnes is competing for a spot on the Rockies’ 25-man roster. If he doesn’t make it, he’ll be playing at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

“I know that some boxers use the mask to prepare, and some baseball players, too,” Barnes said. “I’ve got my mask set to 6,000 feet. When we get to Colorado I’m going to set it to 9,000 feet.”

Nick Masset returned to Rockies camp following the birth of his second daughter, Nicolette, following his wife’s 18-hour labor. Masset, who is attempting to make the bullpen, was relieved and overjoyed.

“It was a miracle. I was so glad I was there for it. You can’t plan out of a lot of things in this game,” Masset said. “The Rockies were great. It worked out well.”

During his four days in Tampa, Fla., Masset found time to sneak in a few workouts with his agent. He played catch multiple times and is scheduled to appear in his first spring game on Thursday. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011, and miss all of last year with a shoulder injury.

“I have a great opportunity here to show that I am healthy,” Masset said. “I have had some bumps in the road on my way back, but I have zero pain. And that’s the good part.”

Chacin to throw
Jhoulys Chacin will begin playing catch on Thursday 11 days after he was shut down because of inflammation in his right shoulder. He detailed his offseason timeline on Wednesday, explaining why he wasn’t ready to throw off the mound when he arrived in camp. Chacin said he thought he had biceps tendonitis when he was in the Dominican Republic mini-camp prior to spring training. He was able to long toss, but decided not to pitch side sessions. It has gone away in the past, he said, so he figured he would be ready when he reported for spring training. It never improved, leading to the MRI, which showed no structural damage. Rehab strength work with bands and medicine balls has left him optimistic.

“I want to get off a mound soon. But I have to be patient,” Chacin said.

Rockies second baseman Josh Rutledge hurt his left ankle turning a double play, leaving him out of the lineup. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Injuries continue to be an issue in Rockies’ camp. On the same day that Jhoulys Chacin made progress, Jordan Pacheco (left shoulder inflammation), Josh Rutledge (ankle) and Justin Morneau (stiff neck) were sidelined.

Chacin threw a small medicine ball Monday and believes he will begin playing catch in 2-to-3 days. He has been shut down since last Sunday because of shoulder inflammation, and is unlikely to break camp with the team. Pacheco, the leader for the backup catching job, aggravated his shoulder during batting practice. It has been bothering him for a few days, and manager Walt Weiss decided to exercise caution. Pacheco underwent an MRI on Monday afternoon. It is not believed to be serious, but more will be known on Tuesday.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will begin throwing this week for this first time since his shoulder injury. (Denver Post file).

SCOTTSDALE — Jhoulys Chacin continues to make progress with his shoulder injury, and plans to begin playing catch in “2-3 days,” he told The Post on Monday. He hasn’t thrown in nine days, but is pleased with how his shoulder feels following rest and stretching exercises.

Lefty Boone logan was a fixture in the Yankees’ bullpen for four seasons. Now he’s waiting for his elbow to heal so he can help the Rockies.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Here are some Saturday morning notes of note while we wait to see if there will be a game played today at Goodyear between the Rockies and the Reds. It rained hard this morning but the rain has since tapered off. The game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

“I have a history of eosinophilic esophagitis, which is basically a reaction where sometimes food gets hung in the back of your esophagus and it causes a reaction,” he said Friday. “It’s not really choking, but you have trouble swallowing. Usually whenever I get it, it lasts a matter of minutes and it clears and goes away.”

The incident was more serious this time and he had to go to the hospital Wednesday night for treatment.

Jhoulys Chacin will undergo an MRI today. He thinks it is biceps tendonitis, which would only sideline him a few weeks. (Associated Press)

Jhoulys Chacin pulled on his cap and quickly headed out of the clubhouse for an MRI on Monday. He remained hopeful that he is suffering from biceps tendonitis, which would shut him down for a few weeks, and likely lead to just a few missed starts early in the regular season.

“I have had this before. That’s what I think it is,” Chacin said.

Chacin, 26, has not pitched off a mound this spring, which has left him roughly two weeks behind pitchers who were instructed to throw two-to-three side sessions before arriving in Scottsdale. Pitching coach Jim Wright wouldn’t permit Chacin to do anything but play catch as a precaution.

Chacin pointed to his biceps on Monday, explaining that’s where he felt the soreness and tightness. The best-scare scenario is that the MRI reveals a strain as the cause of the inflammation and discomfort.

“I don’t think it’s too serious with the way he has talked to me about it. He needs to get it taken care of be ready for the season,” said Jorge De La Rosa, who is the leading candidate to start on opening day. “If we lose him for one or two games early, we will be OK. We need him. We have to make sure he’s ready so he can help us for the season.”

If there’s any consolation, it’s that the injury was caught early, providing help from the calendar. There’s also been encouraging performances from Brett Anderson, who was acquired over the winter for Drew Pomeranz. Anderson has shown no issues with his foot injury, and appears poised to rebound.

“I don’t even have to move my glove when I catch him,” said catcher Mike McKenry.

Ellis Burks, Pedro Astacio in camp: Ellis Burks jogged down the stairs into a team meeting. He’s the latest ex-Rockie to attend spring training as a guest instructor. Manager Walt Weiss has encouraged their involvement. Burks is planning on moving to Denver, and is hopeful he can secure a more permanent role with the club down the road. Former pitcher Pedro Astacio is also in camp for the second straight season.

It won’t be long before the Rockies begin spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to Salt River Fields on Feb. 15. Bench coach Tom Runnells will be among those throwing BP to the pitchers and position players, who report on Feb. 21 with their first workout on Feb. 23. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)

The Rockies are in a different position this winter. Most of their offseason goals have been addressed, leaving them seeking depth on low-risk deals over the next six weeks.

To that end, right-hander Richard Castillo has agreed in principle on a minor-league deal with a contract likely official soon. Castillo, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, is a former Cardinals prospect. The 24-year-old went 7-9 with 4.59 ERA in 21 starts for Double-A Springfield last season, and 1-2 with a 1.93 ERA with Triple-A Memphis, both Cardinals’ farm teams.

He’s expected to provide depth in spring training and at Triple-A. The Rockies’ first four rotation spots appear set — Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Brett Anderson, Tyler Chatwood — with Juan Nicasio, Franklin Morales and Jordan Lyles vying for the final slot.

Lefty Jorge De La Rosa will look to anchor the Rockies’ rotation in 2014 after the club, as expected, picked up his contract option. (Chris Schneider, The Associated Press)

What owner Dick Monfort said in August came to fruition on Tuesday. The Rockies, in the easiest decision of the offseason, exercised Jorge De La Rosa’s $11-million club option for next season. The club is expected to talk with him this winter about a contract extension.

Jhoulys Chacin can appreciate history. The Rockies have had plenty of pitchers who can swing the bat. But those who hit home runs is a fairly select group, all things considered. Mike Hampton was the most prolific. Jason Hammel ended the pitchers’ drought with a shot in Milwaukee a few years back (The players put a spoof ball in his locker, congratulating Cole Hamels for his home run and World Series performance). Kevin Millwood delivered some shots. And Alex White was the last to pull it off last September in San Diego.

Rockies starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is congratulated by teammates at the top of the dugout after finishing the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night at Coors Field. (Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)

Greetings from Coors Field where I just witnessed one of the more entertaining games — and postgames — I’ve experienced in quite a while.

I really thought Jhoulys Chacin was going to pitch a no-hitter. I really did. He was that good, and even the single that Brandon Crawford lined to center field with two outs in the seventh wasn’t hit that hard.

Newspaper deadlines, being what they are, even in the digital age, didn’t allow me to get a lot of this in my game story. So here are some late-night quotes, notes and details from the Rockies’ 5-4 victory over the Giants Wednesday night at Coors Field:

Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler slides safely into third for a triple. Fowler is currently out of action with an injured left knee. (Morry Gash, The Associated Press)

Rockies manager Walt Weiss was more like Dr. Weiss Wednesday as he fielded questions about the health of his ballclub.

Here’s a rundown of the status of a number of players.

* Center fielder Dexter Fowler’s left knee is still sore and he’s walking with a slight limp. Fowler, who is scheduled to undergo and MRI Wednesday, said: “I’m really not sure what’s going on.”

His injury has been described as a bruise, but Fowler said he twisted the knee when he was thrown out trying to steal second base in the first inning of Monday’s game against Giants.

Weiss said he expects Fowler to be out for “at least a few more days.” Weiss admitted that if weren’t for the September minor-league call-ups will join the team next week that Fowler would be a candidate for the disabled list.

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, shown here in a file photo, could reach 200 innings for the first time in his career. He outpitched the Padres’ Edinson Volquez as the Rockies won their fourth-straight game. (Chris Schneider, The Associated Press)

The Rockies have done things to Edinson Volquez at Coors Field you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. He’s worked 12 2/3 innings on Blake Street this season, allowing 29 hits and 21 earned runs. He has a career 8.39 ERA in Denver.

A sore right hand that’s been slow to heal has left Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler frustrated. (Jeff Chiu, The Associated Press)

Is Dexter Fowler headed to the disabled list? It’s a looming possibility.

The center fielder, battling through a right-hand injury that makes it painful for him to grip a bat, was initially in the starting lineup for the Giants-Rockies game on Friday night. But he was a last-minute scratch and now a stint on the DL could be in the offing.

“He took is BP and it was still bugging him. It was hurting to swing the bat,” manager Walt Weiss said late Friday night after the Rockies beat the Giants 4-1. “So we kept him out of there and we’ll keep our eye on him. We will check him out for the next day or two and go from there. But it’s still bugging him pretty good.”

Fowler last played on Tuesday in Boston, going 0-for-4. If he were to go on the DL, the move would be retroactive to Wednesday, meaning he wouldn’t be eligible to return until July 12 when the Rockies play the Dodgers in Los Angeles before the All-Star Game.

Jhoulys Chacin felt horrible. You could see it in his eyes and hear it as he talked — between sniffles.

But give the big right-hander credit. He battled through his summer bug and gave the Rockies’ five gutsy innings against the Nationals Tuesday night. As a reward, Chacin recorded his first victory since April 19.

“The last two days I haven’t been feeling good,” Chacin said after the Rockies’ 8-3 victory. “Today, in the beginning, I wasn’t feeling good. I had a lot of runners on base and was throwing a lot of pitches. But then after that I said, ‘You have to give it all you’ve got and just keep battling. … It felt nice to win a game again.’ ”

Chacin allowed two runs on seven hits in his five innings. He walked two and struck out two. Because he struggled early in the game, his pitch count was high: 95 pitches, 61 strikes.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.